No. 5 The Adventure of the Priory School by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 5 The Adventure of the Priory School by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Arthur Conan Doyle

we_have_had some dramatic entrances and exits upon our small stage baker street , but I_cannot recollect anything more sudden and startling than_the first appearance Thorneycroft Huxtable, M . , Ph D , etc his card , which seemed too small carry the weight of_his academic distinctions, preceded him few seconds, and then entered himself -- large , pompous , and dignified that was_the very embodiment self - possession and solidity and yet his first action when_the door had closed behind him was stagger against the table , whence slipped down upon_the floor , and there_was that majestic prostrate and insensible upon our bearskin hearthrug

had sprung our feet , and for few_moments stared silent amazement at_this ponderous piece wreckage , which told some sudden and fatal storm far out on_the ocean life then Holmes hurried with cushion for_his head and I with brandy for_his lips the heavy white face was seamed with lines trouble , the hanging pouches under the closed eyes were leaden colour, the loose mouth drooped dolorously at_the corners, the rolling chins were unshaven collar and shirt bore the grime long journey , and_the hair bristled unkempt from_the well - shaped head it_was sorely - stricken man who lay before_us

" what_is , Watson ? " asked Holmes

" absolute exhaustion -- possibly mere hunger and fatigue ," said I, with finger on_the thready pulse , where the stream life trickled thin and small

" return ticket from Mackleton, in_the north England ," said Holmes, drawing from_the watch - pocket " it_is_not twelve o'clock yet has certainly been early starter "

the puckered eyelids had begun quiver , and now pair vacant , grey eyes looked instant later the man had scrambled to_his feet , his face crimson with shame

" forgive this weakness , Mr Holmes; I_have_been little overwrought thank_you , I_might_have glass milk and biscuit I_have no_doubt that i_should_be better I_came personally , Mr Holmes, in_order ensure that you_would return with I feared that would convince you of_the absolute urgency of_the case "

" when_you_are quite restored ----"

" I_am quite well again I_cannot imagine how I_came to_be weak i_wish you , Mr Holmes, to_come Mackleton with by_the next train "

friend shook his head

" colleague , Dr Watson, could tell you that we_are very busy present I_am retained this_case of_the Ferrers Documents, and_the Abergavenny murder coming for trial only very_important issue could call from London present "

" important ! " our visitor threw his hands " have_you heard nothing of_the abduction of_the only son of_the duke Holdernesse ? "

" what ! the late cabinet minister ? "

" exactly had tried to_keep out_of_the papers, but there_was some rumour in_the globe last night i_thought might_have reached your ears "

Holmes shot out his long , thin arm and picked out volume "H" in_his encyclopaedia reference

"`Holdernesse, 6th duke , K G , P C ' -- half the alphabet ! ` baron Beverley, earl Carston' -- dear , what list ! ` lord lieutenant Hallamshire since 1900 married Edith, daughter sir Charles Appledore, 1888 heir and only child , lord Saltire Owns about two hundred and fifty thousand acres Minerals Lancashire and Wales address : Carlton house terrace ; Holdernesse hall , Hallamshire; Carston castle , Bangor, Wales lord of_the admiralty , 1872; chief secretary state for --' well , well , this man certainly one_of_the greatest subjects of_the crown ! "

" the greatest and perhaps the wealthiest I_am aware , Mr Holmes, that you take very high line professional matters, and_that you_are prepared work for_the work 's sake I_may tell you , however , that his grace has already intimated that Cheque for five thousand pounds will_be handed over to_the person who_can tell him where his son , and another him who_can name the man , men , who_have taken him "

" it_is princely offer ," said Holmes "Watson, i_think that we_shall accompany Dr Huxtable back to_the north England and now , Dr Huxtable, when_you have consumed that milk you_will kindly tell what has happened , when , how , and , finally , what Dr Thorneycroft Huxtable, of_the priory school , near Mackleton, has_to with_the matter , and why comes three days after event -- the state your chin gives the date -- ask for_my humble services "

our visitor had consumed his milk and biscuits the light had come back to_his eyes and_the colour to_his cheeks set himself with great vigour and lucidity explain the situation

" I_must inform you , gentlemen , that_the priory preparatory school , of_which I_am the founder and principal `Huxtable's Sidelights Horace' may possibly recall name your memories the priory , without exception , the best and most select school England lord Leverstoke, the earl Blackwater, sir Cathcart Soames -- they all have entrusted their sons to_me but I_felt that school had reached its zenith when , three weeks_ago , the duke Holdernesse sent Mr James wilder , his secretary , with_the intimation that young lord Saltire, ten years old , his only son and heir , was about to_be committed charge little did i_think that this_would_be the prelude to_the most crushing misfortune of_my life

" may 1st the boy arrived , that being the beginning of_the summer term he_was charming youth , and soon fell into our ways I_may tell you -- I trust that I_am not indiscreet , but half -confidences are absurd in_such case -- that he_was not entirely happy home it_is open secret that_the duke 's married life had_not_been peaceful one , and_the matter had ended separation mutual consent , the duchess taking her residence in_the south France this had occurred very shortly before , and_the boy 's sympathies are known to_have_been strongly with_his mother moped after her departure from Holdernesse hall , and it_was for_this reason that_the duke desired send_him establishment fortnight the boy was quite home with_us , and was apparently absolutely happy

" he_was last seen on_the night may 13th -- that_is , the night last Monday his room was on_the second floor , and was approached through another larger room in_which two boys were sleeping these boys saw and heard nothing , that_it_is certain that young Saltire did_not pass out that way his window was open , and there_is stout ivy plant leading to_the ground we_could trace footmarks below , but it_is sure that_this_is the only possible exit

" his absence was discovered seven o'clock Tuesday morning his bed had_been slept had dressed himself fully before going off in_his usual school suit black Eton jacket and dark grey trousers there were signs that anyone had entered the room , and it_is quite certain that anything in_the nature cries, struggle , would_have_been heard , since Caunter, the elder boy in_the inner room , very light sleeper

" when lord Saltire's disappearance was discovered I once called roll of_the whole establishment , boys, masters, and servants it_was then that ascertained that lord Saltire had_not_been alone in_his flight Heidegger, the German master , was missing his room was on_the second floor , at_the farther end of_the building , facing the same way lord Saltire's his bed had also been slept ; but had apparently gone away partly dressed , since his shirt and socks were lying on_the floor had undoubtedly let himself down by_the ivy, for could_see the marks of_his feet where had landed on_the lawn his bicycle was kept small shed beside this lawn , and also was gone

" had_been with for two years, and came with_the best references; but he_was silent , morose man , not very popular either with masters boys trace could_be found of_the fugitives, and now Thursday morning we_are ignorant as_we were Tuesday inquiry was , of_course , made once Holdernesse hall it_is only few miles away , and imagined that some sudden attack home - sickness had gone back to_his father ; but nothing had_been heard him the duke greatly agitated -- and to_me , you_have seen yourselves the state nervous prostration to_which_the suspense and_the responsibility have reduced Mr Holmes, ever you put forward your full powers, I implore you to_do_so now , for never your life could case which_is more worthy of_them "

Sherlock Holmes had listened with_the utmost intentness to_the statement of_the unhappy schoolmaster his drawn brows and_the deep furrow between_them showed that he_needed exhortation concentrate all his attention upon problem which , apart from_the tremendous interests involved, must appeal directly to_his love of_the complex and_the unusual now drew out his note - book and jotted down one_or_two memoranda

" you_have_been very remiss not coming to_me sooner ," said , severely " you start investigation with very serious handicap it_is inconceivable , for example , that_this ivy and this lawn would_have yielded nothing expert observer "

" I_am not blame , Mr Holmes his grace was extremely desirous avoid all public scandal he_was afraid of_his family unhappiness being dragged before_the world has deep horror anything of_the kind "

" but there_has_been some official investigation ? "

" yes , sir , and has proved most disappointing apparent clue was once obtained , since boy and young man were reported to_have_been seen leaving neighbouring station early train only last night had news that_the couple had_been hunted down Liverpool , and_they prove to_have connection whatever with_the matter hand then was_that despair and disappointment , after sleepless night , I_came straight to_you by_the early train "

"I suppose the local investigation was relaxed while this false clue was being followed ? "

" it_was entirely dropped "

" so_that three days have_been wasted the affair has_been most deplorably handled "

" I_feel , and admit "

" and yet the problem should_be capable ultimate solution I_shall_be very happy look into_it have_you been able trace any connection between_the missing boy and this German master ? "

" none all "

" was in_the master 's class ? "

" ; never exchanged word with_him so_far I_know "

" that_is certainly very singular had the boy bicycle ? "

" "

" was any_other bicycle missing ? "

" "

" is_that certain ? "

" quite "

" well , now , you_do_not mean seriously suggest_that this German rode off upon bicycle in_the dead of_the night bearing the boy in_his arms ? "

" certainly not "

" then what_is the theory your mind ? "

" the bicycle may have_been blind may hidden somewhere and_the pair gone off foot "

" quite ; but seems rather absurd blind , does not ? were there other bicycles in_this shed ? "

" several "

" would not have hidden couple had desired to_give the idea that_they had gone off upon them ? "

"I suppose he_would "

" of_course he_would the blind theory won 't but the incident admirable starting- point for investigation after all , bicycle is_not easy thing conceal destroy one other question did anyone call to_see the boy on_the day before disappeared ? "

" "

" did get any letters ? "

" yes ; one letter "

" from whom ? "

" from_his father "

" do_you open the boys' letters ? "

" "

" how do_you_know it_was from_the father ? "

" the coat arms was on_the envelope , and it_was addressed in_the duke 's peculiar stiff hand besides , the duke remembers having written "

" when had letter before_that ? "

" not for several_days "

" had ever one from France ? "

" ; never

" you_see the point of_my questions, of_course either the boy was carried off force went of_his own free will in_the latter case you_would expect that some prompting from outside would_be needed to_make young lad such thing has had visitors, that prompting must_have come letters hence I try to_find out who were his correspondents "

" I_fear I_cannot help_you much his only correspondent , so_far I_know , was his own father "

" who wrote him on_the very day of_his disappearance were the relations between father and son very friendly ? "

" his grace never very friendly with anyone he_is completely immersed large public questions, and_is rather inaccessible all ordinary emotions but he_was always kind to_the boy in_his own way "